Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi

Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi (3 March 1924-29 July 1966) was President of Nigeria from 16 January to 19 July 1966, succeeding Nnamdi Azikiwe and preceding Yakubu Gowon.

Biography
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was born on 3 March 1924 in Abia State, Nigeria to a Protestant family. Raised by his sister, he joined the Nigerian Army and served as aide-de-camp to Governor John Macpherson of British Nigeria during World War II, and in the 1960s Lieutenant-Colonel Ironsi led the 5th battalion into Kivu and Leopoldville in the Congo as a part of a peacekeeping mission during the Congo Crisis. After single-handedly dispersing a mob of angry Congolese people and securing the release of hostages from Katangese rebels, Ironsi was nicknamed "Johnny Ironside". In 1966, following Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu' scoup, Ironsi became the new Head of State of Nigeria, having 194 days in office. On 29 July 1966, while staying with Governor Adekunle Fajuyi, he faced a counter-coup under Theophilus Danjuma, who had Ironsi and Fajuyi killed.